The English Football League (EFL) has officially confirmed the dates for the 2023–24 Championship playoff matches, as four teams prepare to battle for the final promotion spot to the Premier League.
The playoffs remain one of the most high-stakes and dramatic events in English football, offering a last chance at glory for clubs finishing third to sixth in the regular season.
When are the 2024 Championship playoff semi-finals?
The semi-finals will take place over two legs. The first legs are on Sunday 12 May and Monday 13 May 2024, with the second legs on Thursday 16 May and Friday 17 May 2024.
Dates of First Legs
| Date | Kick-off | Fixture |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday 8 May 2025 | 20:00 | Bristol City v Sheffield United |
| Friday 9 May 2025 | 20:00 | Coventry City v Sunderland |
| Saturday 10 May 2025 | 12:30 | Leyton Orient v Stockport County |
| Saturday 10 May 2025 | 20:00 | Notts County v AFC Wimbledon |
| Sunday 11 May 2025 | 15:30 | Chesterfield v Walsall |
| Sunday 11 May 2025 | 18:30 | Wycombe Wanderers v Charlton Athletic |
Dates of Second Legs
| Date | Kick-off | Fixture |
|---|---|---|
| Monday 12 May 2025 | 20:00 | Sheffield United v Bristol City |
| Tuesday 13 May 2025 | 20:00 | Sunderland v Coventry City |
| Wednesday 14 May 2025 | 20:00 | Stockport County v Leyton Orient |
| Thursday 15 May 2025 | 20:00 | Charlton Athletic v Wycombe Wanderers |
| Friday 16 May 2025 | 20:00 | Walsall v Chesterfield |
| Saturday 17 May 2025 | 12:30 | AFC Wimbledon v Notts County |
When is the 2024 Championship playoff final?
The playoff final will be held on Sunday 26 May 2024 at Wembley Stadium, with a scheduled kick-off time of 3pm.
Will VAR be used in the Championship playoffs?
VAR will only be used in the final at Wembley. It will not be in operation during the semi-final matches.
Where can I watch the Championship playoffs?
All playoff matches, including the final, will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK.
This year’s playoff semi-finals will take place over two legs, with the first legs scheduled for Sunday 12 May and Monday 13 May, followed by the second legs on Thursday 16 May and Friday 17 May.
As usual, the team that finishes third in the table will face the side in sixth, while fourth and fifth will go head to head.
The higher-ranked team will play the second leg at home, a format designed to reward stronger league performance.
The winners of each semi-final will then meet in the playoff final at Wembley Stadium, which has been confirmed for Sunday 26 May 2024, with kick off set for 3pm.
The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, continuing the long standing tradition of nationwide coverage for what is often billed as the most valuable game in football.
The winner secures a place in next season’s Premier League and the accompanying financial windfall that can exceed £100 million.
The final league table is still being shaped, but clubs such as Leeds United, Southampton, West Bromwich Albion, and Norwich City are currently among the frontrunners for the playoff positions.
With just a few fixtures remaining, fans are keeping a close eye on every point and goal difference, knowing that even a single result could determine playoff qualification or home advantage in the semi-finals.
Last season’s playoff final saw Luton Town defeat Coventry City in a penalty shootout after a 1–1 draw at Wembley.
That result secured Luton’s first-ever Premier League campaign and showed just how unpredictable the playoffs can be. With this year’s field again packed with evenly matched teams, another dramatic finale looks highly likely.
The EFL has confirmed that VAR will once again be used during the playoff final but will not be implemented during the semi-finals.
This decision continues the approach seen in recent seasons, where VAR is only available at Premier League-approved venues such as Wembley. While some have called for consistency across all stages, logistical limitations remain a factor.
Tickets for the playoff matches will be distributed through the clubs involved, with pricing and allocations to be announced shortly after the regular season concludes.
The final will feature split allocations at Wembley, and supporters can expect high demand, especially given the match’s financial and emotional significance.